LOS ANGELES – (INT) – The illustrious political career of former Los Angeles City Councilman and county supervisor Mark Ridley Thomas appears to be over.

A federal jury Thursday March 30th convicted Ridley-Thomas of seven felonies. They involved a scheme in which his son received substantial benefits from the University of Southern California in exchange for Ridley-Thomas’ political support for lucrative county contracts with the university.

According to evidence presented at his 16-day trial, Ridley-Thomas engaged in a criminal conspiracy with Marilyn Louise Flynn, formerly a tenured professor and the dean of USC’s School of Social Work. She pleaded guilty to one count of bribery and will be sentenced in June.

Ridley-Thomas’ political career spans several decades, including in the California State Legislature and, most recently, on the Los Angeles City Council.

Story Date: April 6, 2023